Any pointers you can offer before we start laying vinyl plank?

We are going to lay some vinyl plank flooring throughout kitchen, living, through to and throughout the sun room. The trickiest thing we see is there is a kitchen island to work around and the stairways. What is the best way of laying this out so that the two sides meet once you work around these obstructions? Hope you understand what I mean and I appreciate any feedback.

 

Start from the back & work towards the other room that is seen in the pic. Make sure that your first row is perfectly squared. What kind of underlayment are you going to use?

 

Does the way you are recommending have anything to do with how the plywood is layed? We were thinking of running it the opposite, parallel to the longest side of plywood, parallel to the longest wall in living room (left side of stairway)? Bad idea? or is it better to start at the shortest side of wall .. easiest to ensure square? The underlayment is blue, I will call it crap .. that we got from Menards. We just want to put something on the floor so we can get it sold, something economical - feedback on this would be appreciated. The plywood will have to be completely levelled, no high spots. Vinyl plank is 1/4 inch. thanks

 

Plywood is put down perpendicular to the joists so, installing your planks in the same orientation is the correct way to go.

Just make sure the the floor is straight throughout the install. I usually shoot a laser beam across the room on the first row and then check it again as I get close to the island. Making the first row straight and solid with wall spacers will be key to making sure your flooring is square as you can get it. Also, let the product acclimate as long as you can, I do 3 days before installation. I do this even if the instructions say that acclimation is not necessary.

Do you have a brand name of flooring or a link to the installation instructions that we could review?

 

I worked with a floor guy from time to time & what I suggested was what he always did. However, Czizzi has some good ideas too. Follow what he said.

 

The underlayment is actually white .. Menards product ... DuoFoam with self seal... the vinyl plank was purchased at Build Direct online .. Nature Flooring - Wood Plastic Composite Flooring (no wood in it, wood look?) ... Made in China .. W8121R1195 ....Nature Flooring Industries out of Downingtown, PA.

 

Just read the installation instructions on Build Direct and it says to leave a gap of 3/8" around walls .. does that seem like a lot?

 

nevermind, that is what they recommend ..

 

Yes, all floating floors require a gap around the perimeter. You have pulled your base molding and can leave the gap to the wall. If your drywall is set 1/2" off the floor then you can hide the gap under there. Just make sure you leave a gap and remove your spacers before installing your trim. Shoe molding painted to the color of the base molding usually finishes it off nicely.

Around the island, you can tighten the tolerances on your gap so that you can hide it just under shoe molding as you will not be putting base molding up there.